How to Stop Odors From Crawl Space
Crawl spaces are areas below a home that are somewhat difficult to access. They usually have dirt floors and can be as shallow as one foot from floor to ceiling. Crawl spaces often harbor mold and mildew. These biological growths settle into the crawl space and eventually start emitting musty odors. To stop these odors, you must find a way to access the space and then make it less hospitable for mold and mildew. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Fans
- Dehumidifiers
- Heavy plastic
- Insulation
- Protective clothing
- Protective gloves
- Mask
- Plastic vapor barrier
- Staples
- Air purifier
Instructions
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1
Dry out the crawl space with fans or dehumidifiers. According to the Basement Questions website, crawl spaces were traditionally vented with outside air. If this is the case with your crawl space, block the vent by placing heavy plastic over it.
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Pull out and replace mildew or mold-covered insulation. This will eliminate many of the spores that spread the biological growths that, in turn, produce odor. Also, if the insulation is soaked, it will not dry easily.
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Get into the crawl space, if possible, and clean out any animal droppings you may find. These may also contribute to the smell. Make sure to wear protective clothing, gloves and a mask while handling these materials.
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4
Install a plastic vapor barrier on the floor of the crawl space. Secure this with staples to each wall. This will prevent moisture from coming up out of the ground, which will prevent mold and mildew in the space.
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Place an air purifier in the crawl space to neutralize any odors that may remain. This will also help clear any allergens and toxins from the air.
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